Person critically injured after vehicle hits property in Matamata, main road reopens

Roads around a central Matamata roundabout have been closed after a serious crash that's left one person in a critical condition. Image / Google Maps

Neighbours were awoken with a “loud bang” after a car mounted a large highway roundabout and drove through it, smashing into a house on a main Matamata road.

The driver, whose vehicle struck the Broadway property in the Waikato town overnight, has life-threatening injuries.

The crash was reported to emergency services about 1.30am. It closed part of SH24 at the roundabout but has since reopened.

Kaimai property manager Liz Stewart told the Herald residents of a neighbouring property were awoken with a “loud bang”.

“I whipped round to check on them [the renters] this morning and they said no one was hurt ... they just woke up to a loud bang and called the police and ambulance.

“Their fence was smashed but it was the neighbouring house the car actually went into. Thankfully everyone in both houses was okay.”

Stewart confirmed the impacted property belonged to Kāinga Ora. The government agency has been approached for comment.

A Gull Matamata spokesman told the Herald the station’s CCTV footage captured a car “speeding really fast” through the roundabout.

“The car was coming really fast and went straight over the roundabout ... it didn’t even slow down.”

The Serious Crash Unit has been notified, police said.

State Highway 24 was earlier closed between SH27 (Firth St) and Burwood Rd but has reopened.

Motorists, especially those with heavy vehicles, were advised to take the SH29 turnoff to access SH27.

A Fire and Emergency spokesman said firefighters extricated the person from their vehicle before leaving them with police and ambulance staff.

Only one vehicle was involved in the crash, he said.